Connector assembly

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for carrying one or more elongated members includes at least two elongated member support members, each support member having ends and at least one elongated member carrier surface disposed between the ends. The apparatus also includes a support member connection assembly including an elongated connector and at least one connector sleeve engageable with the elongated connector and an end of a support member.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 08/900,458, filed Jul. 25, 1997 now abandoned, entitled“Equipment for and Method of Storing and Shipping Pipe, and claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/084,432 filed May6, 1998 entitled “Connector Sleeve for Pipe Holder,” both of which areincorporated by reference herein.

S

TATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Notapplicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment for and methods of holdingelongated members. In another aspect, the present invention relates toequipment for and methods of storing and shipping elongated members. Ineven another aspect, the present invention relates to equipment for andmethods of storing and shipping pipes. In still another aspect, thepresent invention relates to equipment for and methods of securingseveral supports together.

Various types of elongated members, including but not limited to pipingand tubing, are used in construction projects and other activities, suchas petroleum drilling and delivery operations. After manufacture,elongated members must be packaged, stored and/or transported. Theability to effectively package, store and transport elongated memberscan save substantial time and expense, directly impacting the economyand efficiency of the project. It is thus desirable to have equipmentfor and methods of effectively packaging, storing and transportingelongated members without damaging the elongated members. Further, it isdesirable that such equipment be versatile, long lasting, reliable,quick and/or easy to use.

Numerous prior art systems for storing pipes are discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,123,547 issued on Jun. 23, 1992 to Koch (the '547 patent), whichhas a common assignee with the present application and is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety. The '547 patent discloses equipmentfor storing and shipping pipes that includes several superposed pipesupports. The illustrated pipe supports include numerous supportsurfaces on opposite sides acting as rests for several pipes. Aplurality of pipes can thus be layered between the pipe supports,effecting a vertical stacking of pipes having pipe supports interposedbetween the layers of pipes.

The pipe supports shown in the '547 patent are securably held togetherby applying one or more steel or nylon bands, or by a tightening frame.The tightening frame of FIG. 3 of the '547 patent includes upper andlower U-channels 20, 22 that may be laterally tightened relative to eachother with a pair of threaded rods 24, 26. The rods 24, 26 may bepivotably engaged within the lower U-channel and secured with nuts tothe upper U-channel.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 of the '547 patent, the uppermost andlowermost pipe supports instead include projecting parts 82, 84, 86, 88that are engageable with a pair of threaded rods 96. At one end, eachrod includes a molding 98 that is engageable with one of the lowerprojecting parts 82, 84. The other end of each rod 96 can be passedthrough a vertical borehole 94 in an upper projecting part 86, 88 andsecured with a nut 106.

While '547 patent materially advances the prior art, there is a need foryet further improved equipment and methods for holding, storing andtransporting elongated members. For example, the prior art equipmentdoes not provide metal-to-metal contact buffers at substantially alllocations on the equipment that may come in contact with the elongatedmembers. Contact at these locations with elongated members, such asduring loading, assembly, or transport of the equipment and elongatedmembers, could lead to deterioration, such as rusting or galvaniccorrosion, of, or otherwise damage, the elongated members, making themunusable. For another example, there may be metal-to-metal contactbetween the outer facing components of prior art equipment and othermetal objects, such as other similar sets of equipment and elongatedmembers. Such metal-to-metal contact can result in galvanic corrosionand other damage, decreasing the effectiveness and useful life of theequipment. For yet another example, prior art systems, such as thetightening frame of FIG. 3 of the '547 patent, require additionalsubstantial components, such as the U-channels of FIG. 3.

Thus, there remains a need for improved equipment for and methods ofpackaging, storing and/or transporting elongated members that will notsignificantly damage or cause deterioration to elongated members orother metal objects upon contact with the equipment. There also remainsa need for improved equipment for connecting numerous support memberstogether. Preferably, the equipment and methods can be simple and quickto utilize. Ideally, the equipment would be sturdy, versatile, longlasting and reliable. Especially well received would be equipment thatdoes not require substantial additional components.

These and other needs in the art will become apparent to those of skillin the art upon review of this patent specification, claims anddrawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatusfor carrying one or more elongated members that includes at least twoelongated member support members and a support member connectionassembly. Each support member has ends and at least one elongated membercarrier surface disposed between the ends. The support member connectionassembly includes an elongated connector and at least one connectorsleeve that is engageable with the elongated connector and an end of asupport member.

Another apparatus made in accordance with the present invention andcapable of holding one or more metallic members includes at least twosupports and at least one connector engageable with the supports. Thesupports and connector are each constructed at least partially ofmetallic material. The supports and connector at least partiallysurround the metallic members. The apparatus also includes at least onecovering at least partially of non-metallic material disposed upon thesupports and capable of preventing metal-to-metal contact between thesupports and the metallic members at the location of the covering. Thesupports may include upper and lower sides and opposing ends, and thecovering(s) may be disposed upon the upper and lower sides of thesupports, the opposing ends of the supports, or any combination thereof.The covering may be constructed of polyethylene material.

An assembly may be made in accordance with the present invention that iscapable of holding one or more elongated members constructed at leastpartially of metallic material. This assembly includes at least twoelongated member supports constructed at least partially of metallicmaterial and an elongated connector. The supports have ends withapertures therethrough. Also included is a plurality of sleevesconstructed at least partially of non-metallic material capable of beingreceived over the ends of the supports. Each sleeve has at least oneopening capable of alignment with one or more of the apertures. Theelongated connector is extendable through the apertures and the openingsand is capable of securing the supports. At least one of the sleeves mayinclude a connector lock engageable with the elongated connector.Further, the connector lock may be a nut supported in the sleeve in anon-rotational manner.

An apparatus may be made in accordance with the present invention thatis capable of connecting a threaded rod and a nut to a support memberhaving a passage. This apparatus includes a body having an openingcapable of receiving the support member and an aperture capable ofreceiving the rod. The apparatus also includes an extending portionconnected to the body and having a cavity accessible through theaperture. The cavity is capable of housing the nut in alignment with thepassage of the support member. The extending portion has one or moresurfaces engageable with the nut to prevent the nut from rotating withinthe cavity. The body and the cavity may be constructed at leastpartially of non-metallic material. The surfaces may be flats formed bythe cavity. The extending portion may be formed of a material that willnot substantially deform under the torque required to connect thethreaded rod and the nut to the support member. The extending portionmay be constructed of polyethylene. The extending portion may include atleast one reinforcing portion.

A method of holding elongated members in accordance with the presentinvention involves the use of at least two elongated member supports anda connection assembly, each support member having top and bottom sidesand at least one elongated member carrier surface on at least one side,each support member also having left and right ends and at least oneaperture at each end, the connection assembly including a connector andupper and lower sleeves, the upper and lower sleeves each having apassage, the lower sleeve including a locking member. The methodincludes positioning the support members in generally parallel verticalalignment. One or more of the elongated members are positioned betweenopposing carrier surfaces of adjacent support members. The upper sleeveis positioned upon an end of the uppermost support member, and thepassage of the upper sleeve is aligned with the corresponding apertureof the uppermost support member. Similarly, the lower sleeve ispositioned upon an end of the lowermost support member and the passageof the lower sleeve is aligned with the corresponding aperture of thelowermost support member. An end of the connector is passed through thepassages of the upper and lower sleeves and corresponding apertures ofthe support members and engaged with the locking member of the lowersleeve.

Accordingly, the present inventions comprise various combinations offeatures and advantages which enable it to substantially advance thetechnology associated with equipment and methods for holding elongatedmembers, and support member connectors. The present invention includesequipment for and methods of packaging, storing and/or transportingelongated members that will not significantly cause deterioration,rusting or other damage to elongated members or other metal objects upontheir contact with outer facing surfaces or components of the equipment.The present invention also includes improved equipment for connectingnumerous support members together. The equipment and methods of thepresent invention may be configured to be simple and quick to utilize.Embodiments of the present invention include equipment that is sturdy,versatile, long lasting and reliable. Further, embodiments of thepresent invention may be configured not to require substantialadditional components.

The characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the presentinvention described above, as well as additional features and benefits,will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading thefollowing detailed description, referring to the accompanying drawingsand reading the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an elongated memberholding system made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of one embodiment of a support member having asaddle member made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of an embodiment of a support member havingnumerous saddle members made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a holding system havinga connection assembly engaging upper, intermediate and lower supportmembers made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a support member ofa holding system of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of one embodiment of a lower connector sleeve of aconnection assembly made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lower connection sleeve of FIG.6 taken at plane 7—7;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of another embodiment of a support member of aholding system of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of yet another embodiment of a support memberof a holding system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of still another embodiment of a supportmember of a holding system of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a lowerconnector sleeve of a connection assembly made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 a is a partial cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 11taken at plane 11A—11A showing a boss type reinforcing member made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the lower connector sleeve of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the lower connector sleeve of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the lower connector sleeve of FIG.11 taken at plane 14—14;

FIG. 15 is a detailed exploded view of an embodiment of a holding systembeing assembled in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a detailed exploded view of the holding system of FIG. 15showing elongated members disposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in theabove-identified figures and described in detail below. In describingthe preferred embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are usedto identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarilyto scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may beshown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarityand conciseness.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an elongated member holding system 10made in accordance with the present invention includes two or moreelongated member support members 14 and at least one support memberconnection assembly 50. The holding system 10 is capable of holding, orsecuring, one or more elongated members 12 (FIG. 16) and can be used forstoring and transporting the elongated members 12. In addition, two ormore holding systems 10 can be used together for holding the elongatedmembers 12, the multiple holding systems 10 being engaged with theelongated members 12 in spaced relationship as desired (not shown) alongthe length of the elongated members 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each support member 14 includes at least oneelongated member carrier surface 16 suitable for receiving or seating anelongated member 12. Further, the support member 14 may have at leastone upper carrier surface 16 a and at least one lower carrier surface 16b, the surfaces 16 a, 16 b disposed on opposing sides 15 a, 15 b of thesupport member 14. In addition, each support member 14 may includenumerous adjacent carrier surfaces 16 a and 16 b, such as shown in FIG.3. The carrier surfaces 16 may be shaped as desired to complement, holdor engage a particular type or size of elongated member 12. For example,surfaces 16 may be arcuate so as to conform to cylindrical shapedelongated members 12, such as pipe. It should be understood, however,that the present invention is not limited to any particular size, shape,quantity or configuration of carrier surfaces 16.

The support members 14 may be constructed in any manner, configuration,shape and design suitable for use with the present invention. Forexample, in one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 2, the support member14 includes a one-piece substantially hollow rectangular bar 22 thatcarries one or more saddle members 24. Each saddle member 24 is aone-piece integrally formed component having a passage 24 a forreceiving the bar 22, such as by sliding engagement of the saddle member24 and bar 22. Each saddle member 24 has one or more carrier surfaces16. The saddle member(s) 24 may be configured on the bar(s) 22 in anydesired configuration. For example, the support member 14 of FIG. 3 hasnumerous saddle members 24 disposed in adjacent, abutting relationshipon the bar 22.

The support members 14 may be formed of any material or combination ofmaterials suitable for use with the present invention. The supportmember material 14 may be selected depending upon characteristics, suchas weight, shape and material, of the elongated members 12 to be held.For example, the support members 14 may be constructed at leastpartially of a sturdy, durable material, such as metal or metal alloy,that enables the support member 14 to support a plurality of elongatedmembers 12 during storage and transporting. Other concerns, such asavoiding galvanic corrosion, rusting and other deterioration or damageto elongated members 12 may also lead to the selection of particularmaterials, or coatings, for the support members 14, such asthermoplastic, thermoset or elastomeric material. In particular, thecarrier surfaces 16 of the support members 14 may be formed of, orcoated, with a material that will not cause galvanic corrosion and otherforms of deterioration to the elongated members 12, or undue damage tothe elongated members 12 resulting from contact therewith. If theelongated members 12 are steel, for example, possible carrier surfacematerials include non-metallic materials that are softer than steel,such that contact between the carrier surface 16 and an elongated member12 will not substantially damage the elongated member 12. The embodimentof the support members 14 of FIG. 1 preferably includes bars 22 that areconstructed of galvanized steel and saddle members 24 (and carriersurfaces 16) constructed of high density polyethylene. The saddlemembers 24 completely surround the upper and lower surfaces 15 a, 15 bof the support members 14 except at ends 15 c, 15 d, thus preventingmetal-to-metal contact between the support members 14 and other objects,such as the elongated members 12, along the upper and lower surfaces 15a, 15 b, except at ends 15 c, 15 d.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the holding system 10 includes an uppersupport member 14 a and a lower support member 14 b, and may include oneor more intermediate support members 14 c. Each support member 14 hasends 15 c, 15 d, and each end 15 c, 15 d includes a passageway 26 thatallows interconnection with the connection assembly 50. Multiple supportmembers 14 having numerous carrier surfaces 16, may be configured invertical alignment, such as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the holding system10 to hold a plurality of elongated members 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the connection assembly 50 generally includesa connector 54 having ends 54 a, 54 b with threads 56, an upperconnector sleeve 58 and a lower connector sleeve 60. Each sleeve 58, 60includes a passage 64. The upper sleeve 58 is engageable with an end 15c, 15 d of upper support member 14 a, while the lower sleeve 60 isengageable with an end 15 c, 15 d of lower support member 14 b, suchthat the passageways 26 of support members 14 a, 14 b are alignable withthe corresponding passages 64 of sleeves 58, 60. The connector 54 issized to pass through the passageways 26 of all of the support members14 and the passages 64 of the upper and lower sleeves 58, 60, and isfirmly securable thereto in any suitable manner as is or becomes knownin the art. The connection assembly 50 thus serves to connect thesupport members 14 and rigidly hold the support members 14 and elongatedmembers 12 (FIG. 16) for storage and/or transportation.

The connection assembly 50 may be designed such that the sleeves 58, 60are the outer facing components of the holding system 10 on sides 10 a,10 b, and are constructed at least partially, and preferably entirely,of non-metallic material to serve one or more among various purposes.For example, the sleeves 58, 60 could serve as metal-to-metal buffersbetween the ends 15 c, 15 d of the support members 14 and metal objects,not causing galvanic corrosion, rusting and/or other deteriorationthereto, or damage to the metal objects, such as elongated members 12,upon contact therewith. Furthermore, the lower sleeve 60 may be designedto secure, hold or include a locking member 50 matable with the lowerend 54 b of the connector 54. For example, the locking member 50 may beintegrally formed into or carried by the lower sleeve 60 such that thelower sleeve 60 prevents undesirable movement of the locking member 50.

With respect to the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, forexample, the passageways 26 of the support members 14 are formed intothe ends 22 a, 22 b of the bars 22 that extend laterally at the supportmember ends 15 c, 15 d, respectively. The passageways 26 of the upperand lower support members 14 a, 14 b are holes 27 formed in the bars 22,while the passageways 26 of the intermediate support member(s) 14 c areU-shaped openings 28 (FIG. 4). The intermediate support members 14 c mayinclude end reinforcement members 29 (FIG. 1) also having U-shapedopenings 28 and which are connectable to the bars 22 at ends 22 a, 22 b.The upper and lower sleeves 58, 60 (FIGS. 1, 7) are preferablyconstructed at least partially of material that will not causesubstantial damage, deterioration, corrosion or rust to elongatedmembers 12 or other metal objects if contacted therewith. For example,the sleeves 58, 60, or respective sleeve outer surfaces 59, 62, may beconstructed at least partially of a non-metallic material that is softerthan metal, such that contact with metal elongated members 12 or othermetallic materials will not cause substantial damage or deterioration,such as rust, thereto. If the elongated members 12 are steel, suchmaterials may include thermoplastic, thermoset or elastomeric material.In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the sleeves 58, 60 areconstructed of high density polyethylene material. In anotherembodiment, the sleeves 58, 60 may be constructed of between about60%-80% nylon material and between about 20%-40% glass material, such asabout 70% nylon material and about 30% glass.

The upper sleeve 58 of the particular embodiment of FIG. 1 has a bore 66that enables the sleeve 58 to be slideably positionable over an end 15c, 15 d of an upper support member 14 a. The lower sleeve 60, best shownin FIGS. 6 and 7, includes an upper portion 74 and a lower portion 84.The upper portion 74 includes bore 66 and is thus removably engageablewith an end 15 a, 15 b of the lower support member 14 b (FIG. 1).Opposing top and bottom walls 76, 78 of the upper portion 74 havealigned openings 77, 79, respectively, which form the passage 64,allowing the connector 54 (FIG. 1) to pass through the upper portion 74.The lower portion 84 includes a generally cup-shaped portion 86 thatextends from the bottom wall 78 of the upper portion 74 and at leastpartially surrounds the opening 79 in the bottom wall 78. The generallycup-shaped portion 86 includes a cavity 88 for carrying a locking member90, as will be described further below.

The connector 54 of the specific embodiment of FIG. 1 has a diameter andlength suitable to pass through the holes 27 of the support members 14a, 14 b, the passages 64 of the sleeves 58, 60 and the U-shaped openings28 of the intermediate support members 14 c. The connector 54 isconstructed of a material of sufficient strength and othercharacteristics that enables it to effectively secure and transport thesupport members 14 and elongated members 12 carried therebetween. Oneembodiment of the connector 54 is a galvanized steel rod 55.

Still referring to the particular embodiment of FIG. 1, the connector 54is matable at each end 54 a, 54 b with a locking member 90. The lockingmember 90 (FIG. 7) that is engageable with the lower end 54 b of theconnector 54 may be associated with the lower sleeve 60. For example,the illustrated locking members 90 are commercially available nuts 92that are each engageable with a male threaded end 54 a, 54 b of theconnector 54. The locking member 90 connectable to the lower end 54 b ofthe connector 54 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 disposed within the generallycup-shaped portion 86 of the lower sleeve 60. The cavity 88 of thegenerally cup-shaped portion 86 of the lower sleeve 60 has internalwalls 89 (FIG. 7) preferably formed to contain the locking member 90 andprevent it from rotating within the generally cup-shaped portion 86. Forexample, if the locking member 90 has an external octagon shape, theninternal walls 89 shall also be octagon-shaped to receive the octagonshaped locking member 90, whereby the flats on the locking member 90engage the walls 89 to prevent the rotation of member 90 within thecavity 88, or lower sleeve 60. Further, the locking member 90 may beinserted into the generally cup-shaped portion 86 of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 during or shortly after the manufacture or formation of thegenerally cup-shaped portion 86, allowing the cup-shaped portion 86 toshrink onto or mold around the locking member 90, enhancing its closeengagement therewith. It should be understood, however, that the lockingmembers 90 may take other suitable forms. Further, the locking member 90for the lower end 54 b of the connector 54 may instead be integrallyformed in, or otherwise connected or associated with, the lower sleeve60.

The present invention is not limited to the above-describedconfigurations. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, for example, the supportmember 14 may include a bar 22 having cutouts 102, 103, 104 and 105 atends 22 a, 22 b and bent lips 106, 108. For another example, such asshown in FIG. 9, the bar 22 of each support member 14 may be formed withtwo opposing channel-like members 110. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, thesupport member 14 is formed by joining upper and lower C-shaped moldedhalves 112, 114 having carrier surfaces 16 formed therein. One of themolded halves 114 contains at least one short projection 116 that mateswith a matching blind hole 117 provided on the other molded half 112. Inyet another example, such as shown in FIG. 5, each support member 14 maybe a single integrally formed component 118 having at least one carriersurface 16.

Furthermore, the upper and lower sleeves 58, 60 (FIG. 1) may havealternate configurations or additional features. FIGS. 11-14 shownvarious additional features of the lower sleeve 60. Referring to FIG.11, the upper portion 74 of the lower sleeve 60 may be at leastpartially reinforced, such as with reinforcing members 120, forreinforcing, strengthening and/or preventing cracking or deformation ofthe sleeve 60. If reinforcing members 120 are used on the upper portion74, the reinforcing members 120 may take any suitable form for use withthe present invention. For example, the opposing interior surfaces 124,128 of upper portion side walls 122, 126 forming the bore 66 may includereinforcing members 120, such as for the purpose of supporting orreinforcing the sleeves 60 at locations of engagement with the supportmembers 14 (FIG. 1). The particular such reinforcing members 120 shownin FIGS. 11 and 14 are ribs, or runners, 129 a, 129 b extending at leastpartially along the length of surfaces 124, 128, respectively. Theillustrated runners 129 a, 129 b are rectangular shaped protrusions thatare integrally formed as part of the walls 122, 126.

For another example still referring to FIG. 11, the respective outersurfaces 76 a, 78 a, 122 a, 126 a of walls 76, 78, 122 and 126 of theupper portion 74 may include reinforcing members 120 of any suitableform capable of assisting in reinforcing or maintaining the structuralintegrity or shape of the upper portion 74. These reinforcing members120 of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 are bosses 130 that aredisposed upon and extend from surfaces 76 a, 122 a, and 126 a. Twobosses 130 are shown in spaced relationship disposed across the knitline 131 (FIGS. 11A, 12) on each surface 76 a, 122 a and 126 a.

For yet another example, referring to FIGS. 11-13, reinforcing members120 in any suitable form may be disposed at least partially upon one ormore of the outer edges 132 (FIGS. 12, 13) of the upper portion 74 ofthe lower sleeve 60, the outer edges 132 being potential weight bearingstress locations. The reinforcing members 120 of the particularembodiment of FIGS. 11-13 are built-up portions 136 disposed upon andextending substantially along the length of side edges 132 a, 132 b, 132c and 132 d.

Now referring to FIGS. 11, 13 and 14, the lower portion 84 of the lowersleeve 60 may also be reinforced, such as with the use of reinforcingmembers 120, to assist in reinforcing, strengthening and/or assisting inmaintaining the structural integrity, or shape, of the lower sleeve 60.The reinforcing members 120 on the lower portion 84 may also take anysuitable form for use with the present invention. The cup-shaped portion86 of the lower portion 84 may be at least partially reinforced, such asto assist in preventing it from deforming during use and/or to assist inpreventing the locking member 90 (FIG. 12) from rotating therein. In theembodiment of FIGS. 11 and 13, for example, there are shown reinforcingmembers 120 that are vertical support members, or arms, 140 extendingbetween the outer surface 142 of the cup-shaped portion 86 and the upperportion 74. Further, FIGS. 11 and 14 show numerous reinforcing members120 that are horizontal ribs 146 extending at least partially around theouter surface 142 of the cup-shaped portion 86. Another embodiment mayhave either vertical support members 140 or horizontal ribs 146. Itshould thus be understood that one or more, or none, of of the aboveadditional features may be included. In addition, when one or more suchfeatures are included, the present invention does not require theparticular embodiments of such features shown in the referenced figuresand described above.

Methods for using the present invention to hold, store and/or shipelongated members will now be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and16. The holding system 10 may be arranged in any of a variety ofconfigurations for holding, storing or shipping one or more elongatedmembers 12. Upper and lower support members 14 a, 14 b are positionedone over the other in general vertical alignment. If one or moreintermediate support members 14 c are used, they are positioned ingenerally stacked or parallel relationship between the upper and lowersupport members 14 a, 14 b. In any case, the support members 14 shouldbe arranged such that there are one or more pairs of opposing carriersurfaces 16 a, 16 b on adjacent support members 14 that face oneanother, referred to herein as “facing carrier surfaces.” Each elongatedmember 12 to be held in the holding system 10 is placed upon one of thefacing carrier surfaces 16, or between a pair of facing carrier surfaces16. Alternately, the desired or necessary number of support members 14are placed between one or more layers of one or more adjacent elongatedmembers 12.

After the elongated members 12 are in position between facing carriersurfaces 16 of adjacent support members 14, a connector assembly 50 isattached to the support members 14 and locked in place, securing thesupport members 14 together, securely engaging the opposing carriersurfaces 16 with the corresponding elongated members 12. Depending uponthe overall configuration of the holding system 10, additional connectorassemblies 50 may also be connected to the support members 14. Forexample, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a first connection assembly 50 isattached to the ends 15 c of the support members 14 and a secondconnection assembly 50 is attached to the ends 15 d of the supportmembers 14.

The method of use of the particular connection assembly 50 of FIGS. 1,15 and 16 will now be described. If the locking member 90 that will beconnected with the lower end 54 b of the connector 54 is not integrallyformed into the lower sleeve 60, such as, for example, a nut 92 (FIG.7), the locking member 90 is placed into the cup-shaped portion 86 ofthe lower sleeve 60. The lower sleeve 60 is positioned upon an end 15 c,15 d of the lower support member 14 b and the passage 64 of sleeve 60 isaligned with the passageway 26 of the support member 14 b. The uppersleeve 58 is similarly positioned upon an end 15 c, 15 d of the uppersupport member 14 a and the passage 64 of sleeve 58 aligned with thepassageway 26 of support member 14 a.

The end 54 b of connector 54 is passed through the aligned respectivepassages 64 of sleeves 58, 60 and passageways 26 of support members 14a, 14 b, as well as through the corresponding passageways 26 of anyintermediate support members 14 c. The end 54 b of connector 54 is thenengaged with the locking member 90 (FIG. 7) associated with the lowersleeve 60. For example, when the locking member 90 is a nut 92 disposedwithin the cup-shaped portion 86 of the lower sleeve 60 (FIG. 7), theconnector 54 is rotated to engage its threaded end 54 b with the nut 92.The opposite end 54 a of the connector 54 is connected with itscorresponding locking member 90. In the illustrated embodiment, nut 92is screwed onto threaded end 54 a of connector 54. The connector 54 andlocking members 90 are tightened to the desired degree, thus connectingthe support members 14 and rigidly holding the support members 14 andelongated members 12 carried thereby, with locking members 90 bearingagainst bars 22 of respective support members 14 a, 14 b. For theembodiment of FIG. 1, the above method of use of the connection assembly50 is performed for each of the two connection assemblies 50.

In various configurations of the present invention involving the use ofmore than one holding assembly 10, the above methods are conducted foreach holding assembly 10 used. Further, it should be understood that themethods of the present invention are not limited to being performed inany particular order.

Each of the foregoing aspects and features of the invention may be usedalone or in combination with other such aspects and features. Theembodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting ofthe invention, and modifications thereof can be made by one skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit or teachings of thisinvention. Many variations and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein are thus possible and within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to theembodiments described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus capable of connecting a threaded rodand a nut to a support having a passage, comprising: a body having anopening capable of receiving the support and an aperture transverse ofsaid opening and capable of receiving the threaded rod and passing therod through the support passage; said body further including anextending portion having a cavity accessible through said aperture, saidcavity capable of housing the nut in alignment with said passage; andsaid extending portion having one or more surfaces engageable with thenut to prevent the nut from rotating within said cavity.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said body and said extending portion areconstructed of least of partially non-metallic material.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said surfaces are flats formed by saidcavity.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extending portion isformed of a material that will not substantially deform under the torquerequired to connect the threaded rod and the nut to the support member.5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body includes at least onereinforcing portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bodyincludes a plurality of surfaces forming said opening, wherein saidreinforcing portion includes one or more runners disposed at leastpartially along a surface of said opening.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5wherein said body includes at least one outer edge, wherein saidreinforcing portion includes at least one built-up portion disposed uponsaid outer edge.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extendingportion has an outer surface and includes at least one reinforcingportion.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said extending portionincludes a plurality of outer surfaces, wherein said reinforcing portionincludes one or more bosses disposed upon and extending from at leastone of said outer surfaces.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein saidreinforcing portion includes at least one rib extending from the outersurface of said extending portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 whereinsaid reinforcing portion includes at least one rib extending betweensaid body and said extending portion.
 12. An apparatus capable ofconnecting a threaded rod and a nut to a support having a passage,comprising: a body having an opening capable of receiving the supportand an aperture capable of receiving the threaded rod; said body furtherincluding an extending portion having a cavity accessible through saidaperture, said cavity capable of housing the nut in alignment with saidpassage; said extending portion having one or more surfaces engageablewith the nut to prevent the nut from rotating within said cavity; saidbody and said cavity being constructed at least partially ofnon-metallic material.
 13. An apparatus for connecting a threaded rodand nut to a support having a passage therethrough, comprising: ahousing having an opening adapted to receive one end of the support andan aperture traversing said opening and adapted to receive the threadedrod; an extension on said housing forming a cavity adjacent saidaperture, said cavity adapted to house the nut in alignment with saidaperture and passage; and said extension having at least one surfaceengageable with the nut to prevent the nut from rotating within saidcavity as the rod is threaded onto the nut.
 14. The apparatus of claim13 wherein said extension is integral to said housing.
 15. The apparatusof claim 13 wherein said housing and extension are made of anon-metallic material.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein saidaperture is sized to receive the nut.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13wherein said extension includes a mouth aligned with said aperture and abase opposite said mouth, said base having a bore sized to receive therod and forming a shoulder to support the nut.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said housing and extension are made of polyethylene.19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein at least one reinforcing portionextends from said housing to said extension.
 20. The apparatus of claim13 wherein said housing includes opposing sides receiving the end of thesupport, said aperture passing through said opposing sides and inalignment with the passage in the support.
 21. An apparatus capable ofconnecting a threaded rod and a nut to a support having a passage,comprising: a body having an opening capable of receiving the supportand an aperture capable of receiving the threaded rod; an extendingportion connected to said body and having a cavity accessible throughsaid aperture, said cavity capable of housing the nut in alignment withsaid passage; said extending portion having one or more surfacesengageable with the nut to prevent the nut from rotating within saidcavity; said body and said cavity being constructed of at leastpartially of a non-metallic material; and said body and said cavitybeing constructed of between about 60% and about 80% nylon material andbetween about 20% and about 30% glass material.
 22. An apparatus capableof connecting a threaded rod and a nut to a support having a passage,comprising: a body having an opening capable of receiving the supportand an aperture capable of receiving the threaded rod; an extendingportion connected to said body and having a cavity accessible throughsaid aperture, said cavity capable of housing the nut in alignment withsaid passage; said extending portion having one or more surfacesengageable with the nut to prevent the nut from rotating within saidcavity; said extending portion being formed of a material that will notsubstantially deform under the torque required to connect the threadedrod and the nut to the support member; and said extending portion beingconstructed of high density polyethylene.